Switch mechanism.



W. C. LAWSONY SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 7,1907.

904,336. Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

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W. U. LAWSON.

SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION .EILED Bil-10.7, 1907.

904,336. Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

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UNITED STATES rannkr orio.

WILLIAM C. LAWSON, OF ROANOKE, VIRGINIA.

SWITCH MECHANISM.

Application filed. December 7, 1907.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ILLIAM C. LAWSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Roanoke, in the county of Roanoke and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Switch Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates more particularly to switch mechanisms employed in connection with rail or tramways, on which operate cars having wheels with double flanges.

The object is to provide novel mechanism of a simple character, whereby the rails are continuous, both when the switch is connected to the main line or when the main line is unbroken, eliminating entirely .the necessity of frogs, or rails having slots or spaces to permit the passage of the flanges. The invention, however, is not necessarily limited to railways on which double flanged wheels run.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view showing the main line open. Fig. 2 is a similar view, but illustrating the switches connected to the main line.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In the embodiment illustrated, the main line consists of three sections, namely two outer sections and an intermediate section. The outer sections have spaced rails 3 and the intermediate section comprises short pieces of rails 4:. These various sections are spaced apart. Oppositely extending switches 5 are located on opposite sides of the main track, and have their rails 6 terminating short of the same.

A pair of supports are pivotally mounted between the intermediate and outer main track sections. As shown, these supports consist of longitudinal beams 7, on which are mounted ties 8. The supporting frames, thus produced, are centrally pivoted, as shown at 9 to suitable bolsters or bases 10. Each frame furthermore is provided with a triangular extension 11, and wear plates 12 are located beneath the ends of the supporting frame.

Each supporting frame is provided with a set of straight parallel rails 13, which, as shown in Fig. 1, are arranged to aline with Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

Serial No. 105,550.

the rails 3 and a of the main track sections, and when so alined, 1t Wlll be evident that the main track is open and practically continuous. Each supporting frame furthermore is provided with a set of curved rails 14:, the ends of which are spaced from the ends of the rails 13, and each set of the curved rails 14, is movable into alinement with the rails 6 of one of the switches 5 and with the rails 8 of one of the outer sections. hen so alined, as shown in Fig. 2, the rails 13 are out of alinement with the rails of the main track section. Thus it will be evident that by turning the supporting frames '78, in one direction, the switches may be connected to the main line, and by turning said supporting frames in the opposite directions, the switches are disconnected and the main line is made continuous.

In order to effect the simultaneous movements of the supports, a lever 17 is fulcrumed between its ends, as shown at 16, preferably in line with the rails 4. of the intermediate section. This lever is provided in its ends with slots 17 in which are engaged .pins or bolts 18 that are secured to the supporting frames. IVith this construction, when one of the pivotal supports is swung in one direction, the opposite pivotal support will be swung in an opposite direction. A common actuating device is preferably employed for both supports, and this device may be of any suitable construction. In the disclosed embodiment, an actuating lever 19 is fulcrumed at one side of the tack, as shown at 20, and has a link connection 21 with the extension 11 of one of the supports. Upon operating the lever 19, it will thus be evident that the switches may be opened and closed, as desired.

With this construction, it will be noted that whether the switches or the main track is in use, the rails will be continuous, and neither the inner nor the outer flanges of any wheel will have to pass over a rail. This is particularly important where both inner and outer flanges are employed on wheels. It will be evident that the switch mechanism is also useful even if the car wheels have only inner flanges. \Vhile two oppositely operating switch mechanisms are disclosed, and are advantageous, it is to be understood that but one may be employed, if desired. The particular advantages for two resides in the fact that when one of the switches is opened, should cars come in an opposite direction along the track, they will not be derailed directly at the switch so as to block the entire track, but will be carried to one side and will remain on the other switch. 7

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, with out further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion, and minor details of construction, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the ad vantages of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a main track formed of spaced rails and having spaced sections, of a switch track composed of spaced rails, a support located between the main track sections and movable transversely thereof, a set of spaced rails carried by the support and movable therewith into and out of alinement with the corresponding rails of both main track sections to connect said sections, and another independent set of spaced rails carried by the support and movable therewith into and out of alinement with the rails of one of the main track sections and the switch rails to connect the same, the latter set being out of coaction with said rails when the first mentioned set is in coaction with the main track section rails and vice versa.

2. The combination with a main track formed of spaced rails and having spaced sections, of a switch track composed of spaced rails located at one side of the rails of the main track, a support located between the main track sections and pivotally mounted between its ends, a set of spaced rails carried by the support and swinging therewith into and out of alinement with the corre sponding rails of both of the main track sections to connect said sections, and another and independent set of spaced rails carried by the support and swinging therewith into and out of alinement with the rails of one of the main track sections and with the switch rails to connect the same, the latter set being out of coaction with said rails when the first mentioned set is in coaction with the rails of the main track sections and vice versa.

3. The combination with a main track composed of spaced sets of rails, of two switch tracks associated therewith and each composed of spaced sets of rails, switch mechanism for connecting the rails of the main track to the rails of one of the switch tracks, a separate switch mechanism for connecting the main track to the other switch track, and a connection between the mechanisms to eti'ect their simultaneous movements.

4:; The combination with a main track, of separate switch tracks extending on opposite sides of the same, two switch mechanisms for connecting the main track to both switches, and a connection between the mechanisms for effecting their simultaneous movements in opposite directions to simultaneously connect the main track to both switches.

5. The combination with a main track, of separate switch tracks associated therewith and extending in opposite directions, a switch mechanism for connecting the main track to one of the switch tracks, a separate switch mechanism for connecting the main track to the other switch track, and a common actuating device for operating both of said switch mechanisms.

6. The combination with a main track, of a plurality of two switch tracks extending in opposite directions on opposite sides of the main track, oppositely moving switch mechanisms for connecting the main track to both of said switch tracks, and a lever fulcrumed bet-ween its ends and connected to the mechanisms for effecting their simultaneous move ments in opposite directions to simultaneously connect the main track to both switch tracks.

7. The combination with a main track having spaced sections, of a plurality of pivotal supports located between the sections, oppositely extending switches located on opposite sides of the pivotal supports, and a plurality of sets of oppositely curved switch rails carried by the supports and constituting means for connecting the main track to the switches.

8. The combination with a main track comprising spaced sections, of switches located 011 opposite sides of the main track, supports pivotally mounted between their ends between the main tracl' sections and between the switchcs, a lever fulcrumed between its ends and connected to the supports, independent sets of rails mounted on each support and movable into and out of coaction with one of the main track sections, one of said sets of rails being also movable into and out of coaction with the switches, and operating means for swinging the supports.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

VILLIAM C. LAWSON.

\Vitnesses J. T. DAVENPORT, Gno. H. P. COLE. 

